CASA Child Advocacy Society

   Our speaker on Friday will be the Executive Director of Child Advocates of Silicon Valley: Karen Scussel. In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge concerned about making drastic decisions with insufficient information conceived the idea of citizen volunteers speaking up for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom. From that first program has grown a network of nearly 1,000 CASA and guardian ad litem programs in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

  Child Advocates recruits, trains and supports volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to work one-on-one with foster children, ensuring that each child’s critical emotional and educational needs are met and their voices heard while navigating the court dependency system.

  Their mission is to provide stability and hope to children who have experienced abuse and neglect by being a powerful voice in their lives. Their vision is that every child has a positive view of the future and the opportunity to become a productive, healthy adult.

  Karen has been associated for over fifteen years and has advocated for 15 children. She has been a member of the Child Advocates Board of Directors, including Board Secretary and member of the Executive Committee, Interim Director of Volunteer Services, Interim Director of Programs and Education Advocacy Supervisor. Karen became the Executive Director in October 2012.

  Karen started her association with Child Advocates as a CASA volunteer while working for the private sector. She was one of the original members of the Santa Clara County Middle School Education Court committee, and received the San Jose Junior League Volunteerism at its Best award in 2013.  In 2014, Karen was named one of the 100 Women of Influence in Silicon Valley by the San Jose Business Journal.

  Prior to joining Child Advocates, Karen had over 25 years of human resources management and executive experience at Hewlett Packard Company and Agilent Technologies. She has managed large, complex global programs and has developed management and employee development programs, including mentoring and coaching programs. Karen grew up on the East Coast and in the Midwest and earned a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and Master’s Degree in Business from Washington University in St. Louis.